County Home Admin Unveils 2013 Budget

October 4, 2012

MAYVILLE - The Chautauqua County Home is projected to come out with a modest operating loss next year, County Executive Greg Edwards' tentative budget indicates.

The budget gap, however, would be worse without county and federal government support.

Tim Hellwig, County Home administrator, and Colleen Wright, County Home financial officer, spoke Wednesday to the legislature's Human Services Committee. The discusses were a part of ongoing budget review sessions currently taking place in Mayville.

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Hellwig said $2.6 million in county local share and government funds will boost the home's revenue accounts next year.

But even with the contributions the Dunkirk skilled nursing facility is expected to end up with a $716,604 loss in 2013.

"We do end up with a deficit," Hellwig said.

In comparison, by the end of this year, the County Home is expected to run a deficit of $2.7 million. In 2011, the 216-bed facility ran a profit of $107,000, with government assistance around $3.2 million that year.

Legislator Vince Horrigan, R-Bemus Point, questioned how cost-cutting recommendations outlined in a financial viability report were considered in the County Home's budget.

"I think there are definite efficiencies that can be realized," Hellwig said, noting that the home's budget was prepared before the viability report was released.

"So there could be some dollar reductions in this budget," Horrigan said.

John Runkle, R-Stockton, asked Hellwig if actual savings in the viability report could be outlined during the legislature's Audit and Control Committee on Friday. The administrator said he would come back with possible reductions and revenue enhancements.

Benefits for County Home employees is projected to rise by approximately $400,000. Other expenditures in 2013, Hellwig noted, will remain largely the same as this year.

In other matters Wednesday, Diane Baker, Cornell Cooperative Extensive executive director for Chautauqua County, thanked the county executive for including $25,000 in his tentative budget for the county 4-H program.

Baker told the Planning and Economic Development Committee the money in Edwards' spending plan will help alleviate 4-H's budget gap next year, although a deficit remains likely.

"This year, it's like a dream come true," Baker said of the funding. "We are happy. It's marvelous."

The 4-H program is in the midst of establishing a $2 million endowment fund through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Organizers are reaching out for public and private donations of $5,000 to fund the endowment by 2017.

The committee also heard from the county Department of Social Services; youth bureau; probation; public health; mental hygiene and office for the aging.